Square Start stands as the pioneering initiative within BRAG, marking the inception of our comprehensive family support projects. Launched in May 2021 and generously funded by Opportunities Fife's NOLB Strategy, this innovative project breaks new ground by offering support sessions tailored to the diverse demands of family life, conducted during mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. This scheduling flexibility aligns with the Scottish Government's Best Start ambitions, ensuring accessibility for families in Dunfermline, Southwest, and Northeast Fife.
Our Square Start project is committed to delivering holistic family support, empowering residents to thrive and instilling confidence in a positive future. Designed to cater to every family member, we provide guidance, direction, and unwavering support.
In collaboration with esteemed partners such as Frontline Fife, Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF), and Youth 1st, BRAG facilitates a multifaceted project where families can access support from any or all of these organizations. Recognizing the intricate challenges faced by families living in poverty, we understand that many contend with chaos and deprivation. Square Start was conceptualized to address not only the immediate challenges but also the underlying poverty of opportunity that often holds families back.
Our approach involves an initial assessment to determine the level of need, paving the way for a tailored action plan. Emphasizing a fluid and flexible methodology, we adapt to changes in the family's circumstances through consistent review and adjustment, ensuring the service aligns with the client's evolving requirements. The ultimate goal is to integrate family members into various group activities, breaking the shackles of social isolation and fostering new relationships and peer support.
The range of activities offered under Square Start is extensive and tailored to the unique needs of each family. From budgeting workshops, cooking, and nutritional skills to mental health resilience, arts and crafts, and family fitness sessions, we cover a spectrum of essential life skills. Additionally, parents can opt for formal training programs, including conflict resolution, first aid awareness, emotional health and well-being, and trauma-informed parenting, among others.
This targeted service reaches the local community through collaborative efforts with Community Learning and Development teams, Welfare Reform Action Groups, schools, nurseries, and local charities, including food and clothing banks. The activities are carefully designed with input from these groups, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of the community we serve.
We initially assess the level of need which supports us to create a bespoke action plan. By working through the key components to achieve the end goals with a fluid and flexible approach to allow for change in the family’s circumstances. This consistent review and refresh approach ensures that the service fits the client rather than the client fits the service. The aim is to progress the family members into a variety of group activities to end social isolation and create new relationships and peer support.
Our list of activities is vast and is specific to the needs of the families but can include:
Parents will also have the choice to complete formal training including conflict resolution, first aid awareness, emotional health and well-being and trauma informed parenting, to name a few.
This service is targeted within the local community via Community Learning and Development teams, Welfare Reform Action Groups, schools, nurseries, local charities including food and clothing banks with the activities offered as part of the project having been designed with input from all these groups.
